You can’t deny that this is truly awesome: Valve has announced availability of a special version of Portal 2 designed for use in a educational setting. The initiative, dubbed Steam for Schools, features a wealth of lesson plans apt for Math, Physics, and developing critical-thinking skills.

What’s more, is that teachers will be able to create their own Portal 2 lessons through the built-in map editor and share them via Steam. Anyone involved in education can get started simply by contacting Valve — there’s absolutely no fees involved. Educators get access to a version of Steam tailored specifically for a learning environment — there’s even a forum where teachers can exchange ideas and provide feedback on the program.

At any rate, this is an exciting development, one that I hope many teachers take advantage of. Portal 2 is without a doubt a great fit for the classroom.  There’s a lot of potential for exploring concepts that may not come across as well on text. Plus, the interactive nature of it all will certainly help engage students and promote participation.

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